I've been learning about the Principles of Success for many many years. In fact, I can even recall that my Saxophone Professor back in college started giving me books about personal development back when I was 19! I wasn't fully aware of what I was doing back then, but I really related to the principles and already started applying things like the Law of Attraction and Visualization Techniques. (I will be talking about those in the near future)

Today, I want to cover something a little more fundamental. I want to talk to you about "Success". The definition of Success (Oxford) is:noun [mass noun] The accomplishment of an aim or purpose:

Origin: mid 16th century: from Latin successus, from the verb succedere 'come close after'.Earl Nightingale - one of the most known teachers and perhaps one of the founders of the "Personal Development" industry defines Success:"Success is the progressive realization of a worthy goal or ideal".The former talks about the end result, the latter talks about the progress. Of course they are both correct depending on the situation, but let me ask you this: if a person is "A Success", does that mean that they are "Successful"?Let me give you an example: I'm sure you know people who have a very "Successful Career", but are hugely overweight, or don't see their family at all, or never ever hang out with their friends or watch a movie.Another example is a person who has achieved a "Spiritual Enlightenment", but can't afford a new pair of sandals. Both are examples of individuals who have achieved great success in a certain area of life, but are failing in other areas immensely.

Great mentors such as Zig Ziglar, Bob Proctor, Dr. John DeMartini and Tony Robbins teach about the 7 areas of life:

Each of them teach a little differently, but the idea is the same:If you want to be successful in life, you must master the 7 areas of your life. By "Master" I mean achieve success in each of these areas. Now - most people's subconscious would object - "I can barely create success in ONE area, how do you want me to achieve success in all 7??"

That's a great question!The answer is simple: use Earl Nightingale's definition for success:"Success is the progressive realization of a worthy goal or ideal".All you need to do right now is choose your goals or ideals for 2014, then start realizing them right now! RIGHT NOW!It's possible, and it's simple. Start with small goals like:

This year I will release 10 pounds.

This year I will earn an additional 5K.

This year I will spend 1 hour per week with my family/spouse/kids.

This year I will walk/run/bike/meditate once per week.

This year I will read another 5 books...

Now after you have your 7 new goals in front of you, rephrase them into affirmations like this:I'm so happy and grateful that I weigh (your weight minus 10 pounds).orI'm so happy and grateful that I'm making (your income + 5K) this year.

Now while you're reading these 5 times per day - GET EXCITED!THIS IS YOUR LIFE - MAKE THE MOST OUT OF IT - BECOME SUCCESSFUL IN EVERY AREA OF LIFE AND INSPIRED OTHERS!!!YES YOU CAN!Let's make 2014 the best year EVER!Happy holidays, Love you all, Oz Koren

So I woke up this morning to find all these posts on Facebook and everywhere else saying how cold it is and how big of a storm there is out there... Since I had to go speak and train today, I got dressed like I used to when I was living in the US (winters in the midwest tend to get quite cold...). But then when I started walking towards the venue, which is only a few minutes walk from my house, I realized that it wasn't that cold at all, and it wasn't even raining... Now, it's always better to be over-dressed than under-dressed - like it is always better to be over-prepared than under-prepared for anything in life. Nonetheless my lesson is this: always think who it is you are listening to. Be very mindful that everyone's feelings and thoughts are different, their experiences are different, their perspective of life can be very different! Less Brown said it best: "Don't let someone else's opinion become your reality!" Have a warm and safe weekend!Love you all, Oz Koren